This document discusses the differences between inherited traits and learned behaviors. It provides examples of common inherited traits like eye color and hair color that are passed down from parents to offspring. Inherited behaviors are instincts, like animals preparing for winter. Learned behaviors are acquired through observation, experience, and practice, such as learning to skateboard or use a computer. Both humans and animals can learn new behaviors that are not inherited.

1. Inherited Traits and Learned
Behaviors

2. Essential Questions
• How are inherited traits different from
learned behaviors?
Vocabulary to Know:
• Inherited trait
• Offspring
• Learned behavior

3. How would you describe yourself?
• You might say that you have brown eyes, and
that you can skateboard.
• Let’s look at the list from yesterday… Are
these inherited traits?
• How many of your traits could also describe
someone in your family?

4. Now let’s say that you have brown eyes and
you can skateboard…
• Consider this…does anyone else in your family
have brown eyes or can skateboard?
• Probably only a few of them can skateboard…
but one of your parents may have brown eyes.
Your eye color came from your parents,
however you learned to skateboard.

5. Humans and other animals are a mix of
characteristics from their parents and
behaviors they learned on their own
• A physical characteristic that is passed from a
parent to their baby (offspring) is an
inherited trait.

6. Inherited Traits
• Eye color
• Skin color
• Hair color
• Curly or straight hair
• Dimples
• Freckles
• Height

7. Are your ear lobes attached to the side of
your head, or do they hang free?
• The shape of your ear lobe is an inherited
trait.

8. Inherited Behaviors
• A behavior is a way of acting. Behaviors can be
inherited too.
• Inherited behaviors are called instincts.
(innate behaviors)
• Many animals are born with instincts that help
them survive.

9. Inherited Behavior examples…
• When the weather turns chilly in the fall,
animals prepare for the winter by instinct.
(preparing for winter)
• Some animals head for warmer climates
during the winter. (migrating) Other animals
find a safe spot and curl up for a long sleep.
(hibernating)
• Spiders spinning a web.

10. • Some behaviors are “learned” but not
inherited.
Behaviors that are obtained by observing,
experiencing, or practicing are called learned
behaviors.
Learned Behaviors

11. Learned Behaviors - examples
• Are you better at using the computer than the
some of the adults in your family? If so, you
learned how to do this. You did not inherit this
behavior from your parents.
• We learn many behaviors that helps us every
day. These behaviors include how to make a
sandwich, skateboard,
and be polite to others.

12. Can you learn behaviors that do not help
you?
• Yes!
• They can include watching television or eating
poorly.
Can animals learn behaviors?
• Yes! Can your dog sit?

13. Let’s review…
• An inherited trait is a physical characteristic
that is passed from parents to their babies
(offspring).
• A behavior is a way of acting.
• Inherited behaviors are called instincts.
• Learned behaviors are not inherited but
learned from others.

14. Quiz Time

15. 1. Which of these is an inherited trait?
a. Liking the color red
b. Having long fingers
c. Wearing your hair in a ponytail
d. Liking chocolate ice cream

16. 2. Which of these is a learned behavior?
a. Having long eyelashes
b. Having curly hair
c. Heading south in the fall
d. Liking peanut butter sandwiches

17. 3. Which of these can you change?
a. Your instincts
b. Your inherited traits
c. Your learned behaviors
d. Your inherited behaviors

18. 4. A woman is an excellent cook. Why are
her children likely to become good cooks?
a. They will learn to cook by instinct
b. They will learn to cook by watching
c. They will inherit her cooking skills
d. Cooking is an inherited trait

19. Example Learned
Behavior
Inherited
Behavior
Inherited
Trait
Typing on a
keyboard
Blood type
Migrating
birds
Tasting P.T.C.
Winning at
video games